More Than 800 Manufacturers Shine Spotlight on Careers and Innovation

The NAM and Manufacturing Institute Help Focus on Rewards of Manufacturing Jobs

October 4, 2013

As part of the second-annual Manufacturing Day, more than 800 manufacturers across the nation are opening their doors and sharing the innovative and advanced operations that make manufacturing among the most rewarding career options available. Tripling in size since last year’s inaugural event, Manufacturing Day offers students and members of the community an up close view of the dynamic, highly skilled jobs available in modern manufacturing. It spotlights the outstanding opportunities that exist and highlights that manufacturing is a 21st-century industry that is constantly evolving.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Manufacturing Institute are leading this event along with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International and the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

“The robust response and participation in Manufacturing Day from across America shows manufacturers’ commitment to developing the talent needed for a 21st-century workforce,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “By opening shopfloors to young and curious minds around the country, we are able to show modern manufacturing for what it is—a technology-driven industry that offers secure, good-paying jobs and the ability to develop products that will change the world.”

A broad cross-section of manufacturers are hosting open houses, public tours, career workshops and other events. Manufacturers continue to face a variety of workforce challenges that threaten future productivity and innovation, including a skills gap that reveals hundreds of thousands of jobs remain unfilled despite ongoing high unemployment. Manufacturing Day spotlights the unparalleled benefits a manufacturing job can provide and promotes the pursuit of skills that will lead to a long-term career that offers security and growth for qualified candidates.

“Access to the best minds with a high-quality education and advanced skills is critical to manufacturers’ capacity for innovation and business success,” added Jennifer McNelly, president of The Manufacturing Institute. “Manufacturing Day is an important step to address common misperceptions about the industry and engage future talent by giving them firsthand experience with the real world of manufacturing.”